Secondary Social Studies Education

Become a social studies teacher in just one year

The Secondary Social Studies program includes educational foundations course work, methods and curriculum courses relevant to their teaching specialty, clinical and student teaching experiences. Students must have completed a baccalaureate degree in History or Government, or have the equivalent in coursework in the discipline, plus satisfy all state requirements for endorsement in that teaching field. A list of these requirements may be found below. Completing this program prepares you to teach History, Political Science (Government) and other subjects in the field of secondary social studies.

The M.A.Ed. in Secondary Social Studies Education program leads to initial certification and is open to, and only to, people who are not already certified. Teaching endorsement in Virginia will include grades 6-12.

This program is supported by having full-time students completing the program according to a set three semester course sequence. Students will begin their coursework in the summer and complete it by the following May.

Students also have important field experiences prior to their student teaching semester. Because these students will be placed in the same school for fall and spring semester, they will be better prepared for their ten week student teaching experience. The seminar that accompanies student teaching will also allow more group discussion and university instructor feedback about their teaching experiences.

Subject Area Course Requirements for Teaching Social Studies:

A major in History OR Government

a. History Majors

In addition to the History major, must complete 12 hours in Government (coursework should include at least 3 hours in American Government or Politics)

b. Government Majors

In addition to the Government major, must complete 18 hours in History (coursework should include at least 6 hours in American or US History)